ask a trooper
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolApril 27, 2021Question: Can you talk about motorcycle safety going into spring riding? Answer: With everything going on in the world today, a motorcycle ride can be the perfect escape. Leave your worries behind, put that helmet on, and head for the open road. Here are steps you can take to reduce your risk of crashing: •Ride sober. •Wear highly visible protective gear, including a brightly colored helmet. •…- By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolApril 20, 2021Question: I see a lot of people that have their fog lights on, and when I am meeting them on the road, some are very bright and make seeing the road very difficult. Some of them appear to be out of alignment and are blinding. What is the law that covers this? Answer: If the fog lights are aimed too high and/or are too bright, they are illegal even if they are in compliance with the rest of the…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolFebruary 02, 2021Question: I am getting my 4 place snowmobile trailer ready for a trip. Do I need brakes on all the axels? Answer: Brakes are required on all trailers with a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or more. If brakes are required, they need to be on all wheels of a trailer manufactured after June 30, 1988. Trailers equipped with three or more axles and manufactured prior to July 1, 1988, are not required to…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolJanuary 25, 2021Question: What items should I have in my vehicle during this extreme cold weather? What is the proper procedure if I become stranded and/or go off the road? Answer: With the recent below zero temperatures, being prepared with an emergency kit and plan can save your life. We recommend the following items be in your vehicle, especially in the winter: •bag of abrasive material (sand, salt, cat…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolJanuary 19, 2021Question: I was hoping in a future column you could talk about safely navigating a roundabout. Last fall a roundabout was put in by our elementary school. Since the start of the 20-21 school year, I’ve been using it 20 times a week to drop off my kids and pick them up. I see many drivers stopping at the yield sign in order to let other drivers in the roundabout continue on their way. It’s my…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolJanuary 05, 2021Question: My neighbor’s cattle are always out. They don’t take care of their fence and they are getting into my yard. I can deal with that, but my real concern is the highway we live along. I’m worried someone is going to hit a cow and get hurt or something worse. There must be a law about this. Answer: This is concerning as this type of activity could lead to a crash resulting in life-changing…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolDecember 08, 2020Question: Did I hear there is extra DWI enforcement going on over the holidays? Answer: Yes, here is some information that we shared on the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s blog: The holidays are going to be different this year, that’s for sure. With Minnesota’s pandemic restrictions in place for now, friends and family likely aren’t coming into town to celebrate, and even if they do, you…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolNovember 23, 2020Question: I have heard a lot about “click it or ticket” recently. I thought seat belt use was at an all-time high. Answer: Most Minnesotans are making the life-saving decision to buckle up. According to the 2019 Minnesota Seat Belt Survey, 93.4 percent of front seat occupants are wearing their seat belts. Unfortunately, that means more than 7 percent of motorists continue to risk their lives and…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolNovember 10, 2020Question: If a person has a permit to carry in Minnesota, can they transport a loaded rifle or shotgun in a vehicle? Answer: The permit to carry law applies only to handguns, so the answer is no with some exceptions. MS 97B.045 – A person may not transport a firearm in a motor vehicle unless the firearm is: (1) unloaded and in a gun case expressly made to contain a firearm, and the case fully…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolSeptember 29, 2020Question: Is there a law against putting signs along the roadway for political candidates and advertising? Answer: It is illegal to place signs for political purposes and advertising on the road right of way. Highway rights of way include driving lanes, inside and outside shoulders, ditches and sight corners at intersections. All state, county, city ad township roads and highways fall under the…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolAugust 25, 2020Question: I was told the fine for passing a school bus, when the red lights are activated and the stop arm is extended, had recently increased. Answer: State law requires all vehicles to stop for school buses when the bus driver activates the flashing lights and has the crossing arm fully extended. Red flashing lights on buses indicate students are either entering or exiting the bus. In 2017, the…- July 28, 2020Question: If I sell my vehicle to a private party, what do you recommend I do to protect myself in the event the new owner gets into a crash or is arrested prior to them transferring the title into their name? Answer: If the vehicle you sold is involved in a hit and run or pursuit and the driver flees the scene, law enforcement will contact the registered owner in an attempt to locate the driver…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolJuly 07, 2020Question: I have heard speeding over 100 mph has increased. What is the State Patrol doing about this problem? Answer: The Minnesota State Patrol, along with law enforcement agencies across the state, is currently conducting enhanced speed enforcement on the roadways through July 19. The extra enforcement will target speeding violations as well as aggressive driving. From April 1-May 21, the…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolMarch 03, 2020Question: I see a lot of people that have their fog lights on, and when I am meeting them on the road, some are very bright and make seeing the road very difficult. Some of them appear to be out of alignment and are blinding. What is the law that covers this? Answer: If the fog lights are aimed too high and/or are too bright, they are illegal, even if they are in compliance with the rest of the…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolFebruary 18, 2020Question: I have noticed cars that can't be seen in the day when they fail to turn on their lights when it is snowing, raining or foggy. Can you please explain how dangerous it can be and what the law is that covers this? Answer: Minnesota law states that every vehicle on a roadway shall display lighted headlamps, lighted tail lamps, and illuminating devices from sunset to sunrise. The law…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolFebruary 04, 2020Question: Do I need to obtain the new Real ID and Driver’s License when my license expires? Answer: The Minne-sota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services division (DPS-DVS) began issuing REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and ID cards on Oct. 1, 2018, to comply with the federal REAL ID Act. Minnesotans are not required to obtain a REAL ID driver’s license or ID card; however,…
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